Testimonials
I first met Pamela I think in 1998. I had seen my friend in Trial by Jury the year before. Sitting in the audience watching my mate dancing about and singing silly words looked like fun, and the next year my sister and I auditioned for the chorus of HMS Pinafore.
I wasn't expecting much, just something to do in the summer holidays. I didn't know that I would keep doing Pamela's Gilbert and Sullivan show for the next 7 years.
Pamela truly is an inspirational woman. Not only did I learn so much about performing with her she also helped my confidence grow each year.
I loved my time each year with Pam, I almost didn't go to my National Youth Theatre Course in 2002. I still wish sometimes that I hadn't gone to London to do that course, I'd have had more fun doing The Gondoliers in Buxton.
If it weren't for Pamela, I wouldn't have got into RADA and wouldn't have had the confidence to teach Drama, or even had the courage to set up my own theatre company…
…Michael Grady-Hall (21)
Pam is the most inspiring director. Everybody enjoys the week so much and it’s definitely the highlight of my year. I think it’s great they can put on a show in a week, working with any kids that want to get involved, some of which have never been on a stage before. It’s always such a success and I know it wouldn’t be the same without her…
…Will (16)
My daughter was involved with G&S Youth production from the first year (1997) when it was Trial by Jury. She was involved every year since until reaching maximum age. She is now part of a different G&S group and still really enjoying Gilbert and Sullivan. Through Pamela, my daughter has gained a life-long appreciation and joy of Gilbert and Sullivan…
…Pauline Carver
My kids have had the benefit of Pam’s joy and enthusiasm for G& S for the past seven years here in Potomac plus our one visit to Buxton in 2005 to participate in Pirates and have had more fun doing each production as the years passed. Pam Bilik has instilled and fostered the love of theatre in each of my three children over these years. Every year, when the “new production” is scheduled, they are first on the list to join again which is a testament to Pam’s ability to enthrall the children with her always new and fresh G&S. She is doing the Mikado this year here in Potomac and Anthony ( the little Pirate in the 2005 production) will play his trombone in this Mikado (don’t ask)…
…Paco Cosio-Marron U.S.A.
Without Pam my summer holidays would have dragged on. There is a real joy in being reunited each year with her and her American team, as well as the many friends I have made via her. The show is always of spectacular quality and yet still retains the feeling of an amateur family production…
…James (16) Chapel-en-le-Frith
If there is any chance that Pamela will be able to come and direct a show then Charlotte will be over the moon. She had the best experience of her life and has been talking about nothing else since being in the year’s production of Iolanthe. Our eldest daughter Lydia was also looking forward to the chance to be in next year’s show…
…Adrian and Caroline Tissier
Pamela is an inspirational director who has a natural affinity with Sullivan’s music and a particular gift of getting the very best out of her young casts. She supports them and encourages them to believe in themselves, which leads them to go on and achieve great things and have fun in the process. A lot of young people have benefited from their contact with her – and not just in Buxton. This, it seems to me, is what true education should be about…
…Stephen Turnbull Secretary of the Sir Arthur Sullivan Society (reg. charity no: 274022)
Pamela Bilik is a well-known figure in the world of topsy-turvy Gilbert and Sullivan musical theater. But it is not international acclaim that lights up her students’ faces with smiles every time they pass her in the hallways of Hoover Middle School, nor is it her impressive soprano voice that causes her middle school actors to listen with such attentiveness to her direction and encouragement. The exceptional thing about Ms Bilik is her attitude and how she communicates her earnestness to her students. The middle school students whom she directs are not professionals, but she teachers them to behave and to treat the theater with the same respect as professionals might. Many of the productions have casts of 80 or more students, a daunting number of middle schoolers for any teacher. She manages the cast and crew with grace and creativity by making each child feel special, by making each child realise that their part is important…